THE GREEN SIGNS WITH EASY STAR RECORDS

The Green burst on to the national scene last year with their self-titled debut album, which was named Best Reggae Album of 2010 by both iTunes and Hawaiiâs Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Now, they are ready to pick up where they left off with their new release, Ways & Means. The full-length album comes out October 25th, while the Love & Affection EP, featuring four tracks from the upcoming record along with an exclusive bonus dub, is available digitally on August 9th. The band has teamed up with the trendsetting indie reggae label Easy Star Records, for both releases.

The Love & Affection EP is an excellent intro to the bandâs maturing sound, featuring the three singles "Love & Affection," "She Was The Best," and "Got Me In Love," along with the roots-heavy album track "Travlah." The exclusive track is a dub version of "Travlah," mixed by Michael Goldwasser of the Easy Star All-Stars.

The song "Love & Affection" is also available for download as the lead track on the Pacific Island Sampler, which the website thepier.com just released.

In advance of an extensive North American fall tour to support the new album, The Green head to California to play the Monterey Bay ReggaeFest on July 29th, then return to Honolulu for KCCN FM100âs Birthday Bash at the Waikiki Shell the next day, before heading back to the West Coast for more select dates in August.

The Green joins an Easy Star family that includes the Easy Star All-Stars, John Brownâs Body, Cas Haley, The Black Seeds, Ticklah, Tommy T and The Meditations.

"There are so many new bands coming into the reggae scene these days, but The Green immediately caught our attention as something special. They have already accomplished so much in a short period of time, but we know they have just scratched the surface of their potential," says Easy Star Records co-founder Eric Smith.

"We remember listening to the first Easy Star release when we were just starting out," says singer-keyboardist Ikaika Antone. "My first band Herbin Riddim even covered the song 'Delilah' off Easy Star Volume 1. Easy Star has been a major part of my musical influence and journey, so it's very exciting to us to be putting out music on the label now."